Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Argentine log on 11710.8RAE, General Pacheco, 11710.8; 0125-0154*, Jan 10. English talk, nice Argentine music, 0137-0142 DX Supplement with contributions from Arnaldo Slaen and Anker Petersen. 0151 Sports news about the Dakar Rally Mendoza-Valparaiso. SINPO 45434. (Petersen). Also heard at 0855-0915, Jan 15. Interval signal to Japanese programming with the Argentine tango, 35333, but the transmission was unstable and on Jan 16, same time, there was no sounds heard and no modulation. (Wagai/DSWCI-DX Window #369)

ARRL solar updateThe ARRL solar update January 2nd reported that Elwood Downey, WB0OEW, of Socorro, New Mexico, along with many other readers, called attention to recent news from NASA that the ionosphere is now at lower elevation than in the past. I suppose this means that worldwide shortwave signals might not propagate as far. The article on the SpaceD aily website reported that:The U.S. space agency says it has discovered the boundary between the Earth's upper atmosphere and space has moved to extraordinarily low altitudes.

The finding was determined by National Aeronautics and Space Administration instruments aboard an Air Force satellite launched in April. The instruments, including ion and neutral sensors, make measurements of the variations in neutral and ion densities and drifts that can result in disruptions of navigation and communication signals.

But the first discovery was that the ionosphere was not where it had been expected to be. During the first months of the satellite's operations, the transition between the ionosphere and space was found to be at about 260 miles altitude during the nighttime, barely rising above 500 miles during the day. Those altitudes, said NASA, were extraordinarily low compared with the more typical values of 400 miles during the nighttime and 600 miles during the day.(Contact Magazine-Radio Topics, Alan Roe/worlddx)

Australian DX Report # 135 available for downloadThe latest episode, # 135, of the professionally compiled weekly Australian DX Report audio shortwave news magazine contains detailed professional monitoring research from Melbourne, schedule changes, and news about international broadcasters.

This is the special Australian Day 2009 episode, 13 mins 40 secs, and may be downloaded from http://airm.edxp.org/

The site allows you to listen to the ADXR and other audio features directly (streaming audio) via your MP3 player, or via the site's embedded mini-player. Podcasts, iTunes capability, full RSS/XML/Atom feeds, and free subscriptions are supported - full details are at the site.

The ADXR is compiled from the resources of the Electronic DX Press Radio Monitoring Association.

Your comments and feedback are particularly important!

You can also hear the episodes on-air, via WWCR Nashville, every Sunday at 0300-0315 on 5070 and on Mondays 1245-1300 on 15825. The WWCR release is also available as streaming-audio, live, from http://wwcr.com/

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 135!(Bob Padula/Cumbre DX)

Bhutan on 60356035, BBS, Sangaygang, 0150, Jan 18, some chanting and traditional music. If you can ever catch the opening at 0000 of transmissions with the monks chanting, it is a real treat for the ears - truly haunting. Exceptionally strong signals. (Muick). Also heard at 1444-1500*, Jan 08, woman playing light pop songs in English, poor. (Howard)(DSWCI-DX Window #369)

Central African Republic monitoring7220, Radio Bangui, Bangui (presumed), 0745-0825, Jan 17, French and Vernacular talks between African music (prevailing slow beat style).Seems that around time mentioned above, they sign-on only during weekends. At 0745: 14322 but around 0800: 24322. Deterioring from 0820. (Otávio)(DSWCI-DX Window #369)

Clandestine monitoring9610, Radio Bilal, via Samara, Russia (250 kW / 188 degrees), *1700-1733, Jan 18, ID which sounded phonetical like "Here Radio Bilal" repeated 7 times, followed by chant "Allahu akhbar" and announce of the transmitting schedule. Until 1710 religious chantings with short ann in between. From 1710 on reports with mention of Washington, Canada, Democracy. Ann of a postal address in Washington, DC. SINPO 34433. (Robic). Is a new TDP brokered program since Jan 11: Su 1700-1800 in Amharic to East Africa. (Ivanov, via BC-DX, Jan 11)

15180, Aso Radio, via Samara. I got my in November posted letter to Aso R, Nigeria, in return today, with hand written "NOT KNOWN" on it. No label or official stamp. The envelope has not been opened. I checked Aso Radio on the Internet and found their well updated Homepage (Jan 2009) with the very same address, as I used for contacts. Emails via their Homepage have not bounced, but have not been replied to.(Fransson, Jan 15)(DSWCI-DX Window #369)

Guatemala's Radio Verdad audio link 4052.5. On Jan 08, I received the following e-mail from Dr. Édgar Madrid: "Dear Friends of Radio Truth: Our website has come on internet already, besides our new Blog at: http://radioverdadguatemala.blogspot.com/ . Praise God.I am informing you also that we are now ordering again the transistors for our short wave transmitter. We hope God will help us this time on this issue, so that we can come back to the air on short wave. God bless you. Dr. Édgar Amílcar Madrid, Director y Gerente". They also use http://www.radioverdad.org/ . (Méndez) (DSWCI-DX-Window #369) Streaming audio from Rado Verdad (Radio Truth) at www.radioverdad.org/

Kenya's KBC off shortwaveExcerpt from BDXC-UK Communicator. KBC is definitely off shortwave. I drove to the Langata SW transmitting station on the outskirts of Nairobi and found that it was still there. (I would not have been surprised, if the site had been redeveloped for housing.) I could not stay long, but someone on the gate confirmed to me that the station was no longer operating.

The KBC Eastern regional service (which had been carried on 4915) is now only aired via local MW opt-outs in the evening on 639 and 1305 (usually the English service).

The KBC Central regional service transmitter on 1269 has closed. The service is now only aired via a morning and evening opt-out on 747 (usually the English service).

A recently-leaked report by the official audit office says, the KBC is technically insolvent and cannot afford to repay huge loans it has taken out or to pay statutory deductions such as VAT (sales tax), PAYE (payroll tax) and pensions. The expansion of private FM stations continues. Nairobi alone now has more than 40 FM stations.

Nepal on 5005 ?5005, What is the station (very low signal) at 0000, Jan 18, ? Nepal? Any help! (Slaen). The last few days there has been a carrier there at the same level of the regional Indian stations, and once I thought I heard a little modulation. Jan 18 the propagation seems to be poor with even the regional Indians coming in at a bad level and at 0140 this frequency was dead. An email from my old friend Ram Karki, the Technical Director for R Nepal, states that they are indeed using 5005. I will have to press him further to see, if they are testing or actually active. Ram and I worked together for the UN in Sudan in 2005/06. (Muick) When monitored here in Denmark on a clear channel from 2300, Jan 18, till 0045, Jan 19, not even a carrier was noticed. Indian regional stations were strong. (Petersen) (DSWCI-DX Window #369)

In 1998, on 6618.2 operated a transmitter with the same name and from the same city, but with Sr. Justo Emilio Carrasco Moreno as Manager. In 1999 it moved to 6675v and then renamed as Radio Andina during the years 2000 and 2001.

In 2002 it reappeared again with the name Radio Sensacion and operated on 6673v. Since then, I have not heard of activity from this transmitter. But now the name is used by Federico Ibañez M. who has operated several stations from Huancabamba like: Radio Difusora Huancabamba, Radio San Miguel, Radio La Poderosa, Radio Estacion 2, Radio Comercial Huancabamba,Radio Comercial La Voz del Rondero. This person has been a candidate to the City Council of Huancabamba on various occasions, but has always lost;then the microphones were used against the winners. None of the stations, that I have written to, have replied and I do not have knowledge of any DX-er who has received a verification either. The above mentioned telephone numbers and address were also heard from La Voz del Rondero. So it is possible that in a few months or maybe a year, the station again will be renamed. (Rodriguez) (DSWCI-DX Window #369)

SyriaRadio Damascus on the internetRadio Damascus English program is now also on the internet. After a few weeks of having the daily German language program online it is great to know that from this week on you canalso download the daily recording of the English program. The direct link to the daily recordings is : www.rtv.gov.sy/index.php?m=541 Soon there will also be a link on the homepage of Syrian Radio & Television, www.rtv.gov.sy/ , to the international foreign language services of Radio Damascus. Radio Damascus Listeners Club : www.radio-damascus-listeners-club.tk/ or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/radio_damascus (DSWCI-DX News)

Uruguay heard on 6125SODRE, Montevideo, 1200, Dec 13, carrier here under heavy QRN at my location, with weak modulation. It relays Radio Uruguay on 1050 MW. So, this is active again and appears to be the only SW working from Uruguay. As I have been told, the plans to keep the SW outlets from SODRE continue. But improved results are still not evident. Nothing heard on 9620.(Nigro in DXplorer) (DSWCI-SW News)

Voice of Indonesia9525.9v, Voice of Indonesia, 1035-1045, Jan 17, English comments with music interspersed, a number of ID's as: "... Voice of Indonesia ... ". (Bolland). Also heard at 1504-1542, Jan 16, extended programming past their usual 1501 sign-off; English news, special coverage of the President and First Lady of Indonesia (along with many top government officials) attending a Japanese puppet show in Jakarta, reporter described what was happening and translated when the President talked in Bahasa Indonesia, but was sorry he could not translate what the apanese speakers were saying, explained the four main characters of the puppet show; mentioned there was RRI coverage of the event (after I heard this, went looking to hear what was on 3325 and 3976.03); a song in Japanese; switched back to the studio for "Indonesian Wonders" about Java; fair; very enjoyable programming (Howard)(DSWCI-DX Window #369)

Voice of America via Botswana4930, VOA relay, Moepeng Hill, 0346, Jan 17, English with report on Israel and Hamas in Gaza, good. (Ronda). Also heard at 1621 on Jan 18 with English news and current affairs. Talk about warlords and the crisis in Sudan. Poor reception, but an unusually early opening to Africa. (Muick) (DSWCI-DX Window #369)

The Sri Lanka government has informed the Appeal Courts that it has decided to cancel the radio license given to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Attorney General has informed the Appeal Courts of the decision when the petition challenging the LTTE radio licence was heard yesterday.

The petition was submitted few months ago by Piyasena Dissanayake, a member of a patriotic group in Sri Lanka. In his petition he has pointed out that the radio licence is totally illegal as the LTTE is a proscribed organization in the country. The case is to be continued on 2 February.(Source: Colombo Page/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Today's shortwave BLOG LOGS, represent a portion of additional logs recently cut from my Broadcast Logs column in Monitoring Times magazine www.monitoringtimes.com/ , due to space constraints. Contributions are always welcome for the magazine or blog, and may be directed to my above email address. Thanks very much to the contributors and blog readers for your kind words and support.Gayle VH

IndonesiaVoice of Indonesia 9525.9, 1045-1100. Programming with local Indonesian music. Station ID to theme music at 1058. Mandarin service at 1100, signal fair-good, decreasing to poor-weak at 1330 recheck. (B Alexander).

Voice of Indonesia, 9525.88, 1038-1042. English feature by lady announcer over instrumnetal music with identification. Additional ID promo then into music program for fair signal quality (D Valko).

LiberiaELWA, 6070, 2245-2302.* Religious music to talk at 2300. Staiiton sign-off with national anthem at 2301. Signal very weak under a strong Romanian, weak but in the clear when Romania signed off at 2257 (B Alexander).

MaliRTVM, 7284.58, *0800-0815. Sign-on with flute interval signal and french identificaiton announcement. Vernacular talk at 0801. Signal fair // 9635 on the air at 0803 with a fair to good signal quality (B Alexander).

MauritaniaRadio Nauritanie, 7245, 1026-1037. Announcer in Arabic to music and distinctive local string music. Signal good at this time to 1059-1100 announcements by announcer over music. Sounded like a tone denoting at 1100. Local stringed music bridge, followed by possible news headlines by announcer. Programming returned with chat and local music (D Valko).

MexicoPresumed station as Candela FM Merida, 6104.75, 1117-1130. Spanish text from announcer with interspersed Spanish music under brutal band noise. Signal unusable by 1130, very poor - this one is proving to be a touch catch. (S Barbour)

MyanmarMyanmar Radio, 9730.79, 1504-1534.* Long series of equations with some English words, short introduction to program in vernacular, into all English with language lessons. Noted, "this talk is for first year students at the University of ....." (Myanmar?) Lessons continued until off the air with the usual indegineous music. Signal fair-poor, though recently heard slightly higher than normal. (R Howard).

A shortwave coordination conference organised by the Asian-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) has agreed to publish a shortwave journal to help promote shortwave broadcasting. The five-day ABU-HFC Shortwave Coordination Conference in Kuala Lumpur agreed that the journal should be published once a year.Frequency managers at the conference examined more than 6,900 daily transmissions to look at ways of minimising interference. Two workshops were conducted to help frequency managers to detect shortwave radio interference more effectively, with improved software tools and methods.A new steering committee was appointed for a two-year term during the conference. It includes two new members, SLBC-Sri Lanka and RTND-Mongolia.(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union/R Netherlands Media Broadcast Weblog)

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts:Issued: 2009 Jan 27 2246 UTC# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center# Product description and SWPC cweb contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html## Weekly Highlights and Forecasts#Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity19 - 25 January 2009Solar activity was very low. No significant flare activity was observed. Region 1011 (S12, L305, class/area Bxo/010 on 20 January) formed on the disk on 19 January and decayed to spotless plage by 20 January.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet levels during the period. A single active period was observed at all latitudes early on 19 January. This activity was due to a recurrent coronal hole. A 12 nT sudden impulse was detected at Boulder at 25/2225 UTC. During the early part of the summary period, ACE solar wind velocities ranged from a high of 501 km/sec at 19/1931 UTC to a low of 265 km/sec at 25/1056 UTC. The Bz component of the IMF ranged primarilybetween -4 nT to +3 nT. At the beginning of the summary period, the Bz component varied between -10 nT to +8 nT. At the end of the period, the Bz component ranged between -7nT to +4 nT. The Bt varied from 0-13 nT during the entire summary period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity28 January - 23 February 2009

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal levels.The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels on 28 January. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels during 29 January - 14 February. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels on 15 February, with isolated active levels due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS). Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels during 16-21 February as the HSS subsides. Activity is expected to increase toquiet to unsettled levels with isolated active levels on 22 February. Activity is expected to decrease to mostly quiet levels on 23 February.

Starting this week, people in Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province, as well as the rest of the country, can listen to a six-hour Voice of America (VOA) radio program of news and information in Pashto, Urdu and English on FM, AM, shortwave and the Internet. The trilingual program will feature news packages, talk shows and in-depth analysis of events in the United States and Pakistan. It will be broadcast across Pakistan, with a focus on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, from 12 am until 6 am. ( 1900-0100 UTC). The format replaces an existing program that was exclusively on music.“This new program will give all Pakistanis, particularly those living in the remote region along the Afghan border, more opportunity to hear VOA’s objective news coverage of what’s happening in the world and in South Asia,” said VOA Director Danforth Austin.

VOA currently broadcasts six hours of radio news and information in Urdu daily to Pakistan, from 7 pm-12 am (1400-1900 UTC) and from 6 am-7 am (0100-0200 UTC) VOA also broadcasts from 6 pm-12 pm (1300-1900 UTC) to Pakistan in Pashto. In addition, VOA’s Urdu Service produces a daily television show, Beyond the Headlines.

Urdu and English are the official languages of Pakistan, a country with about 172 million people. But an estimated 40 million people in Pakistan speak Pashto, primarily those living near the Afghanistan border.

The format encourages engagement on a wide range of bilateral matters. The debut segment focused on the role Ambassador Richard Holbooke is playing as the Obama administration’s new U.S. special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan.The series is named after the train service Samjhauta Express, which has linked Pakistan and India since 1976. Samjhauta means “understanding” in both languages."The way Samjhauta Express brings two countries together, so will we try, in a small way, to do the same through this segment," said Acharya. Farshori added that, despite differences, India and Pakistan now realize they have a "common enemy – terrorism." Samjhauta Express, which runs from two to four minutes, airs weekly on affiliate television stations Geo TV in Pakistan and Zee TV in India during the newscasts of VOA Urdu's Beyond the Headlines and VOA Hindi's America Live, respectively.

They will also be streamed on the Internet at www.VOANews.com/Urdu and www.VOANews.com/Hindi.The Voice of America, which first went on the air in 1942, is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA broadcasts approximately 1,500 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 134 million people. Programs are produced in 45 languages.For more information, call VOA Public Relations at (202) 203-4959, or e-mail askvoa@voanews.com .(Voice of America)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

QSLing Brokered Broadcastsby Gayle Van HornIn these days when budget cuts force shortwave broadcasters to drastically reduce office staff and broadcast hours, it is more difficult than ever to pick up those treasured verification cards (QSLs). Listeners must become as creative as the broadcasters in finding ways reduce expenses and entice the broadcaster to verify.

One potential solution is to make use of brokered broadcasts. Sometimes the listener can save postage by submitting reports of multiple broadcasters to the broker who is providing the aire time. In other cases, the brokered broadcast enables the listener to hear a station which would otherwise be inaudible, even though they must still report directly to whoever originated the programming.

QSLing Brokered Broadcast cover feature, provides information about the four biggest brokers, including detailed information from the largest of these, Media Broadcast. Do's and don't in QSLing the brokers and just what is it - and how does it work?

Ireland's public broadcaster RTÉ, plans a test transmission on January 28 (Wednesday) at 1930-2030 UTC, 6220 kHz. RTÉ has ask for reception reports from listeners in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Reports should be sent to: freqdept@wrn.org .(RTÉ)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Year of the OX is hereThe Chinese New Year begins January 26, and is known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. To the Chinese culture it is the most important Chinese holiday. My blog post from January 23 (Blog Logs-China) is a sampling of what DXers have logged recently from China. If you enjoy DXing stations broadcasting behind the bamboo curtain, here is a chance to tune into to the lunar new year. Many stations in China and other Asian countries will carry special programming, and may be on extended broadcast schedules.

A prediction from the Chinese seersYear of the Ox looking very un-bullish seers sayHong Kong: If the global economy fails to recover in 2009, the housing bubble or credit crunch may not be to blame. It could be a lack of fire.

Chinese fortunetellers say fire — one of the five elements mystics believe form the basis of the universe — is essential to financial well-being.

Obama, born in the Year of the Ox, is taking office in a particularly bad year for his Chinese astrological sign. The ox sign is in direct conflict this year with a traditional Chinese divinity called the "God of Year," considered a bad omen. Obama also is the 44th president, a number the Chinese deem extremely unlucky, because "four" is pronounced the same as "death" in Chinese.

The new U.S. president is not having good luck this year. His honeymoon will only be short-lived," said fortuneteller Alion Yeo, predicting Obama may even face impeachment in his first year in office. "The Year of the Ox looks slightly better and less dire than last year, but it will still be bumpy." Yeo also predicted that the U.S. mortgage crisis would worsen and the stock market would plunge to new lows.

4750, CNR-1/PBS Qinghai (presumed) 1437, Jan 08 and 15. Absence of both Bangladesh and RRI, I was able to clearly hear just two stations, both in Chinese; CNR-1 noted // 5030 and was stronger than PBS Qinghai. (Howard)

4900, Voice of Strait, Fuzhou, 1416-1430, Jan 11, not // 4940; 1430-1500 was // 4940; after 1500 not // 4940. Had hoped they might continue parallel for Focus on China in English, but no such luck. (Howard)

4940, Voice of Strait, Fuzhou, 1500-1525, Su Jan 11. Time to program Focus on China in English. News about China with music bridges between items. Reception reports can be sent to: Box 187, Voice of Strait, Fuzhou, Fujian, "zip code 350012", P.R.C. or on-line via their website: www.vos.com.cn/. This program is only broadcast on Sunday. Light QRM from All India Radio- Guwahati. At 1525 into Chinese and pop songs. (Howard)

6060, Sichuan PBS-2, Chengdu, 1510-1515*, Jan 15. Traditional Chinese music, almost good reception // 7225 continued on till 1516*, with poor reception due to QRM. These two frequencies seem never to be in sync for sign-off. (Howard)

6190, Xinjiang PBS, Urumqi, 0203, Jan 18. Chinese with Chinese hard rock music and telephone talk show. The music was interesting, but to a westerner, the Chinese language just does not "fit" to hard rock music. Good signals, but weaker than normal here in Kabul. (Muick)

7165, Nei Menggu PBS, Hothot, 0430-0500, Jan 12/13, Mandarin. This is the first occasion that I have noted China on 7 MHz during the Asian Daytime Mode openings! As for previous Asian Mode events, these signals became audible abruptly, with no actual "fade-in" gradient. In the space of a few milliseconds, these signals suddenly appeared - some were audible for only two or three minutes - others were audible for up to 30 minutes and longer. These Asian mode signals often originate randomly from various countries - on these two days, no signals were audible from the Indian sub-continent or from Sarawak! Signals from the same transmitter location on different frequencies tend not to propagate at the same times! See my loggings from China below on these days. (Padula)

6065, CNR-2/China Business Radio 1330-1400, Jan 16. First time I have heard their condensed half hour program of "English Evening." For years has always been a full hour (1300-1400); I will need to check this out to hear if it is a permanent change or not, mostly program is in English, hosted by John and a Chinese woman talking about the new edible greeting card, movies, etc., business news (Business Today) segment to Studio Classroom Worldwide program (in the past this was a half hour segment, today was about 15 minutes long) // 6155 and 7245. Noted all with fair reception (Ron Howard, CA)

DRM made big steps ahead in 2008 with numerous events, milestones and novelties. The successful demonstration of a DRM data transmission towards the Audi VIP vehicles at the Olympic games, where only 80kW DRM power covered all Olympic sites, was a real breakthrough with a most cost-effective information system.

The current world financial situation forces broadcasters to use most economic broadcast infrastructure. DRM is the only system for large, populated areas deliverin the requested quality of sound at the lowest possible distribution costs. With its extremely high reliability and independence, the system is the preferred choice for many countries and cultures.

The increased costs for energy challenged Thomson to provide new features for higher efficiency. Several transmitting stations around the globe were updated with the AMC and EAMC option to decrease their electricity bills. With the right target audience, the right content, the right schedule, and with a broadcast infrastructure that provides sufficient weight to drive reach and frequency, radio can be an incredibly powerful medium, especially with the added advantages of DRM.

The coming years will form the transistion with tremendous changes for broadcasters and infrastructure providers. Thomson - with its highly skilled engineers and broad expertise - are glad to support and guide broadcasters through this new era of digital broadcasting.Josef Troxler(Radio News/Winter 2009)

Selection of an appropriate digital standard for the national radio and TV networks was a topic at a recent seminar in Ulaanbaatar, capital of the country. The conference was attended by representatives of Mongolian regulatory body, broadcasters, universities and local broadcast industry.Thomson participated with a lecture on the bright radio future with DRM. During and in advance of the event, BBC sent live DRM transmissions, including the new text-based information service Journaline.Participants were highly impressed by the practically unlimited program content and service options made possible by the DRM standard.(Radio News/Winter 2009)

Solar activity was very low. No flares were observed. The visible disk was spotless.No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet levels during the period. However, brief unsettled to active periods occurred at high latitudes during 14 - 15 January. In addition, a 13 nT sudden impulse (SI) was detected at Boulder at 14/0121 UTC; likely associated with a faint, slow CME observed on 09 January. ACE solar wind measurements indicated minor changes during the period. Velocities ranged from 289 to 433 km/sec. A weak shock was observedat the ACE spacecraft at 14/0015 UTC, in advance of the SI mentioned above, with minor changes detected in velocity and IMF.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity21 January - 16 February 2009

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. No proton events are expected at synchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal levels.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet levels during 21 - 26 January. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels, with isolated active levels at high latitudes during 27 - 30 January due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS).Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels during 31 January - 14 February. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels on 15 February with isolated active levels due to a recurrent CH HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels on 16 February as the HSS subsides.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Moldova - Radio PMR is now asking for listeners to send correspondence via ordinary mail, and no longer announcing their email address. Radio PMR request a self-addressed stampted envelope be included with your correspondence.

WHRI Angel 10500-1100 on 7315 Mon-Fri; 11565 Sat/Sun1100-1200 on 73151200-1300 on 73351300-1600 on 9495 Sat/Sun1600-1800 on 94951800-1900 on 17650 Mon-Fri; 9495 Sat/Sun1900-2000 on 9495 Sun-Fri; 9510 Sat2000-2100 on 15665 Mon-Sat; Voice of Biafra International in Ibo Fri2000-2100 on 9495 Sun2100-2200 on 73152200-2300 on 73352300-0500 on 7315

WHRI Angel 20000-0200 on 73850200-0300 on 7385 Sun-Fri; 7490 Sat0300-0700 on 73850700-0900 on 11565 Mon-Fri; 5875 Sat/Sun0900-1000 on 58751000-1100 on 9865 Deutsche Welle in German1100-1200 on 58751200-1300 on 9410 BBC in Spanish Mon-Fri1300-1600 on 9840 Sat/Sun1600-2000 on 98402000-2100 on 95152100-2200 on 95252200-2300 on 96152300-2400 on 7335

T8WH Angel 30700-1500 on 9930 Sound of Hope Radio in Chinese 1200-1500 Mon-Fri1500-1800 on 9905 Radio Free Asia in Chinese1800-1900 on 99551900-2200 on 9875 Radio Free Asia in Chinese

T8WH Angel 40100-1000 on 156801000-1300 on 12130 Hoa-Mai Radio in Vietnamese 1200-1230 Tue/Thu/Sat1300-1400 on 11880 Democtratic Voice of Burma in Burmese1400-1500 on 9965 Voice of Wilderness in Korean1500-1600 on 9965 Nippon no Kaze in Korean 1530-16001600-1900 on 9930

WHRI Angel 60700-1300 on 73851300-1500 on 11785 Sat/Sun; Hmong Lao Radio in Lao 1400-1500 Sat/Sun1500-1600 on 11785 Sat/Sun; Hmong World Christian Radio in Lao 1500-1530 Sat1600-2300 on 117852300-0700 on 5875

Monday, January 19, 2009

Alaska's KNLS looking for reception reportsStation KNLS would love to have a reception report from your part of the world. Most shortwave stations begin each broadcast by playing a station theme song or sound for several minutes. This special signal helps listeners find or “tune” the station even when reception is poor. To encourage you to file a report, we offer a special QSL card at the beginning of each broadcast season. Only 200 special cards are awarded each season. Each card is individually numbered and features a full colour photo of Alaska. To qualify for the station verification QSL a report must include the following: . the date and time (UTC only) of the transmission . the approximate frequency, and as many program details as you can supply. KNLS will provide ONLY ONE QSL for each report, regardless of the number of entries and they DO NOT provide QSLs for other transmitter operators who may air World Christian Broadcasting programs. Send reports to:Station KNLS, Anchor Point, AK 99556, USA. Fax: (615)371- 8791, Email: KNLS@aol.com (subject reception report) (an edited extract from the latest KNLS handout. (M. Beesley/World DX Club Contact)

BBC Thailand relay notesThailand/ Myanmar. Since flood on November 13, 2008, 6105 kHz at 1100-1130 UT BBC London service in Burmese to Myanmar, but via Udornthani-THA 250 kW 264degr. Never seen such usage before -- in past decade. Is the 49 mb antenna still kaput in Nakhon Sawan? Or is a matter of afternoon propagation? Udorn Thani located 400 kilometers easterly, is 700-800 kms distance to central Burma/Myanmar.(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 10) (WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #895 wb, Germany)

Bhutan on 60356035 BBS, heard at 0150 on 18 Jan with exceptionally strong signals with some chanting and traditional music. If you can ever catch the opeing of transmissions with the monks chanting, it is a real treat for the ears - truly haunting. (Al Muick, Ahghamistan)

Clandestine activity dropped in 20082008 Clandestine Activity SurveyDuring the year 2008 the activity of political clandestine stations broadcasting on shortwave has dropped by 5.3 % to 1251 Weekly Broadcasting Hours (WBHs). This is the result of the latest Clandestine Activity Suvey, which has been published annually since 1986. The activity of clandestine stations broadcasting to target areas on the Asian continent has decreased by 2.6 % to 915 WBHs. Activity to target areas on the American continent has remained unchanged at 215 WBHs. The activity to target areas on the African continent, where volatility has always been very high in recent years, has decreased by 27.5 % to 121 WBHs. The most active target area worldwide is now - for the first time in the history of the Clandestine Activity Suvey - North Korea with 245 WBHs (+49 when compared with last year), followed by China P.R. with 224 WBHs (-16) and Cuba with 215 WBHs (unchanged). The number of different target areas active worldwide has decreased from 18 to 17, with Senegal dropping from the list of active targets. On the other hand, no new or reactivated target areas have been reported over the past 12 months. (Kropf via DSWCI) (NZ DX Times /SW Report)

Colombian unknown on 5555This night (on Jan 11 at 0050-0157* UT) I again heard the probably Colombian station on 5555.00 kHz and not on 5585 or 5590 kHz.

It was slightly stronger than the night before with Indian Band singing until 0100 UT, then a very long interview in Spanish between two men until 0154. Unfortunately the microphone modulation was so poor that I could only perceive a few words, e.g. ".. restaurante..". There were a few short pieces of instrumental interlude music and at 0126 the American evergreen"I love you". At 0154 instrumental music and carrier off at 0157* UT. SINPO was 25232 nearly all the time with a high local noise level here. (Anker Petersen-DEN, DXplorer Jan 11/WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #895 wb, Germany)

Congo tentative on 6115On 9 Jan at 1820 UT noted on 6115 kHz a station in Afro-French with talks about Congo. Audio was switching from good to real poor. Around 1849 UT I guess there was "Radio Congo" ID and then the signal went off. Maybe Brazzaville firing up a transmitter again.(Jari Savolainen-FIN, DXplorer Jan 9/WWdxc tOP NEWS/bc-dx #895 wb, Germany)

Equatorial Guinea/ Mauritania/ Morocco unidUnidentified on Dec 31st 2007 I listened to station on 5005 kHz where at 2300 UTC was the salvo and New Year coming and people there spoken in French. I thought there was a mistake in my log, but this time on December 31st, 2008 on same 5005 kHz at 2230 UT there was a meeting on some square and all people shouting in French and at 2300 UTC all said "Bonne Annee, Bonne Annee". Whether it was Madagascar ? All sources are given: 5005 Equat Guinea (but they were talking in Vernacular and Spanish) and Madagascar on 5010 kHz in Malagasy and French. (Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 2)

Yes noted that private talk too on approx. 5005 ... 5006 kHz every late afternoon and local evening, when I monitored Equat Guinea and Madagascar in 5 MHz range during holiday in southern Portugal on the Algarve coast in 2007. Probably fishery fleet of Mauritania and/or Morocco on North West African coast. (wb) (WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #895 wb, Germany)

Madagascar station to broadcast additional hoursKNLS says that they soon will be broadcasting an additional 30-35 hours from their new station in Madagascar in at least three additional languages: Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. The construction in Madagascar is on schedule. (November NASB Newsletter direct and via DXLD) The transmitter building will contain three 100 kilowatt transmitters. The antenna towers are up and the wire will begin to be stretched in January 2009. (World Christian Broadcasting November bulletin/via WDXC-UK Dec Contact Dec 2/ Worldwide DX Club’s DX Magazine via NASWA LN)

Peru's Radio Cusco reactivates on 6195.8Heard 2204-2310, Dec 13. Not heard since Aug 2007 when it was on 6193.4. Featuring a long program from Iglesia Dios es Amor without ann or advs. During the programme a feature called “Mensajes Cantados” with sung praises. At 2308 a short ID like “...Radio Cusco...” , then continued with another evangelical programme called “La Voz de la Profecia”. Also heard at 1100, Dec 14, again introducing Iglesia Dios es Amor. (Rodriguez via DSWCI).(NZ DX Times/SW Report)

Qatar QSL7210 Qatar Broadcasting Service, Full data QSL along letter, book about Radio Qatar, flag of Qatar and freq schedule. Received in 42 days. I just sent a reception report, and one-minute recording of their broadcast(*), no IRC and no money. Signed by Jassim Mohammed Al-Qattan (Head of Public Relations, Exchange and Research) (*) this was the first time I used this technique. I recorded just one minute of their broadcast and saved it as a audio file (*.wav) in my FTP site. Then, I wrote the URL of the sound file on my report and informed them that it was part of my reception report. This is much better and cheaper than sending an audio cassete tape to the station. (Marcelo Tonilo-NY-USA, Mar 24, 2001) (WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #895 wb, Germany)

Qatar Radio, QBS,Doha, 17755, Surprised to see a package from Qatar Radio, RTVC Dept. in the PO box today containing a "Radio Qatar..from Doha" booklet (circa. 1991), English sce schedule for 27 June, 2003 to First of Ramadan, which of course neglects to mention a single frequency, SW, MW or FM, a personal letter thanking me for my interest in Qatar Broadcasting Service and, most dissapointing, "We are sorry about a QSL card because we stopped issuing it."

Veri-signer Jassim Mohammed Al-Qattan, Head of Public Relations, Exchange and Research. This in 441 days for 1 IRC and an English report. (Scott Barbour-NH-USA, DXplorer Sept 19, 2003/) WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #895 wb, Germany)

Russia's Radio Magadan on 7320Radio Magadan; 0055-0220 Dec 31. 7325 spatter until 0058, then in the clear and fair-good with singing Radio Rossii jingle, Russian female, another singing jingle, five short and one slightly extended final time sounders 0100 and into Vesti news by man until 0110. Another Radio Rossii canned ID by female over music bed, into discussion program with female host through 0115.

Recheck 0153, George Michael (or was it Wham! OK, who cares) Christmas song, chatter, 0200 time sounders, Vespi news, then piano filler and into local programming with clear "Govorit Magadan" by female at 0210, brief talk by the same female, semi-techno filler music and talk by her, then female pop vocal from 0218. Signal slowly fading but still quite readable at tune-out.(Terry L Krueger-FL-USA, DXplorer Jan 3) (RUS-DX #186-C)

Syrian radio antennas pic onlineRadio & Archeological pics from Saria. Two pictures of radio antennas near the archaeological site of Palmyra (Syria) available here:http://blog.libero.it/radioascolto(WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #895 wb, Germany)